I am haunted by the accounts of men ravaged by war after the Seven Days' battle. I once saw a dead cow by Goblin Valley. Its body was swollen and stiff. The image has stayed with me for years. Now, the words of officers on Malvern Hill have come to haunt me. One officer tells of men swollen double their actual size by foul gases. I can't even begin to imagine how difficult it would be to see thousands of men bleeding, wounded, dying and/or dead. The emotional pain must have been inconceivable.
I stand in awe of the unsung heroes...the women...who volunteered on both sides to help the sick and wounded. They were women of strength and courage. They broke prejudicial barriers by going on the fields, in churches, hotels, warehouses, shops, barns, homes and hospitals to give their heroic service. I am amazed at all the sacrifice the people on both sides gave.
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I can imagine that many of these heroic women felt much like you did at seeing that cow. These battlefields littered with bodies had to have been very difficult to work in. They had to have struggled with the images for years to come, yet they endured, and made a substantial difference in the war effort and as you mentioned broke down these prejudicial barriers. Fascinating times!
ReplyDeleteAll of this information just makes me appreciate all that we have. Those who came before really made a difference. I want my students to realize that they too can make a difference. Thanks for your insights!
ReplyDeleteAs I have done the research for the Clara Barton biography I to am amazed that women were close to the battlefield caring for people with such horrific wounds. The author of the book I am now reading called Clara Barton a woman of valor of which I agree. Thanks for bring the image of war to me for I have seen a road kill or two.
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